DESIGN DISPATCH BLOG

In the world of architecture and design, we see beyond what is. We see what could be, and we revel in the act of making it so. Here are some insightful and inspiring stories of projects I’ve tackled, lessons I’ve learned, and a little bit of humor to keep things interesting. Because, if you can’t laugh about life and home renovations, then what the heck are we all here for?

People often ask me: What is the design process? How do we get from an idea to a permit-approved set of plans? The answer varies depending the project’s location, size, and type. But there are few common denominators. Introducing the first post in my Behind the Scenes series: Finding a Designer!

Well hello. It's been a while but I have a pretty solid excuse. Drumroll please...

I am now a FULLY QUALIFIED, LICENSED ARCHITECT!*

After 3 years of high school classes, 5 years of undergrad, 1 year of post-grad, 6 years in the big wide world, and 1 year of test taking, I finally have that beautiful little Architect's stamp. And as much as I hate to admit it, I learned A LOT while studying for those tests.

Heating and cooling uses more energy that any other system in the house. You can save A LOT of money by selecting the right heating equipment. So the question is, what IS the right heating equipment? As you can imagine, the answer is complicated, but here's a breakdown of the three most common energy sources for today's home.

With every new project I ask: What type of water heater would you like, tank storage or tankless? And over the last three years homeowners’ answers have been varied, but most people just seem confused. Here are the pros and cons to clear things up.

October 1st was the one year anniversary of my and Mike's DIY wedding. This past year has given me lots of time to reflect and talk with family about our big day. Then, last month, I participated in my best friend's DIY wedding. Now I'm doubly qualified to dole out some advice.

About a year ago, Mike and I moved our RV from Texas to California. It was the start of a grand adventure for us, a dream come true. You see, over the years, we slowly converted to a minimalist lifestyle. We did this not only to push our limits and define our priorities, but to reduce our cost of living and save money! For the last year, we have been reaping the benefits...

So many clients and friends ask me about the seemingly perfect idea of container homes. You know: homes that use shipping containers as their structure and enclosure. Until now, I couldn't really offer an opinion except to say, "Yeah! Those DO seem perfect in every way." But nothing's perfect, right??

Remember last week, when I discussed the different ways to get your house built? Well there was one building delivery method I didn't talk about. IT's THE BEST ONE. It's called Collaborative Construction and the benefits are mind blowing. Plus, it's simple!

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program to give you this... an education on animal farming! My husband and I recently spent a week helping our good friend Katie on her farm in Rhode Island. What we learned there was totally mind blowing.

Blair remodeled his kitchen with his own two hands. He wanted a new space AND a higher home value. After two years, thousands of dollars, countless late nights, and missed weekends the project was complete. During a recent refinance, Blair's home appraised for $120k more than the purchasing price. It was all worth it.

Lots of people get the urge to clean in Spring. If you're feeling that way right now, take advantage of it! Many friends tell me they'd love to live with less but clearing stuff out is a daunting task. Here's a guide to get you started.